Get the party started with a sweet or savory snack mix. They're easy to make, easy to transport, and make great gifts.

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Spiced Mixed Nuts

Spice up your holiday snack foods with this easy, all-star recipe. A winning combination of Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire, and crunchy mixed nuts is a tasty favorite for guests and it's a great gift idea.

Munch & Crunch Snack Mix

Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix

Ground chipotle pepper and chili spices combine with sugar to coat this three-part combo of pepitas (pumpkinseeds), almonds, and cashews. Make it ahead of time and bring with you to your next holiday gathering or as a hostess gift.

Spicy Sesame-Nut Mix

It'll be hard to stop nibbling on this sweet and spicy mix of pecans, peanuts, and pine nuts. The nuts are coated in a mixture of sesame seeds, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, sage, and just a touch of honey, and you can make them up to a week ahead.

Santa Fe Snack Seeds

Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds may be small, but they contain quite a few nutrients, so you don't have to feel guilty about snacking on this sweet and spicy mix. Pack the mix in small airtight containers for a fun gift idea.

Candied Rosemary Hazelnuts

At the Portland restaurant Ned Ludd and Elder Hall gathering space, chef-owner Jason French serves this addictive nibble with a cocktail they call the Porch Swing. He also packs it up for camping trips and bike rides with his family.

Healthful Fruit-and-Nut Mix

No cooking required! This simple mix tosses together a combination of good-for-you ingredients including mixed nuts and almonds for a dose of heart healthy fat and dried apricots and dried cranberries for fiber and vitamin C.

Asian Party Mix

This flavorful appetizer is loaded with traditional snack mix ingredients like pretzels, corn and rice cereal, and peanuts as well as a few new crunchy favorites—wasabi peas and sesame rice crackers.This flavorful appetizer is loaded with traditional snack mix ingredients like pretzels, corn and rice cereal, and peanuts as well as a few new crunchy favorites—wasabi peas and sesame rice crackers.

Peppered Caramel Corn

Sweet-Hot Spiced Pecans

These pecans are perfect for munching because they're sweet from the sugar, spicy from the cayenne pepper, and have an authentic holiday flavor from the cinnamon and allspice. Keep on hand as a snack for unexpected guests.